Geomechanical Characterisation Of Clashach Sandstone

Abstract

Geomechanical rock testing study the relation of rock mass deformation to insitu stresses prevalent in the earth crust and is applicable in the oil and gas, mining and civil construction industries. This report is concerned with the laboratory geomechanical testing of Clashach sandstone to determine the uniaxial (unconfined) compressive strength, the tensile strength, the modulus of elasticity, poisons ratio and triaxial compressive strength. After thorough analysis of the data from the laboratory tests carried out, it was found that: the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the sandstone ranged from 60.0MPa to 101.4MPa and the triaxial compressive strength is 152.0MPa; the brazilian tensile strength was between 8.2MPa to 8.8MPa, Modulus of Elasticity 23.7GPa, and the Poissons ratio was 0.19. These results are similar to those published earlier by other researchers and the variation indicates that there are discontinuities in rock mechanical properties as a result of geological discontinuity prevalent in in-situ rock masses